McGill has lost ten pounds in a week, and he's still got 33 days to go.

From seven to eight p.m. every night, congregants at Imani Baptist Temple on Indiana Avenue gather to pray for peace, led by Reverend McGill, who for seven days now, has lived on a diet of water, and water only.

There's been one shooting in the city since McGill started the fast April 10th.

Two men were injured, but no one died.

Homicides have been on a record pace in the early part of 2013.

McGill remains convinced the suffering he is enduring is worth it.

" I just completed a weigh in today, and so I'm at ten pounds lost, and I can feel that ten pounds, but I feel encouraged. My load may be lighter, but I believe our community's future has never been brighter," McGill said.

The pastor is benefiting from a lot of sources of support.

Some other members of his congregation are trying to fast as well, to capitalize on the idea that there is strength in numbers.

McGill says on Wednesday he also received email messages from Dallas Texas, and Santa Barbara California, urging him to stay the course.

But he has to be careful about his health.

His doctor is telling him, once he loses 20 pounds, which could happen in another week, he'll need to start taking liquid supplements.

For now, his diet consists of water only, as he and his followers pray that God will do his part by intervening and stopping the robberies, shootings, and gang violence that have plagued the city in recent months.

What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY” comment.

Want to be in the know for the next weather event, the next school closing or the next big breaking news story?

TextCaster alerts from 21Alive.com are your defining source for instant information delivered right to your cell phone and email. It's free, easy and instant. Sign-Up Now!Powered by Summit City Chevrolet